Love on the Line - Deeanne Gist [128]
“They all said no.”
“Even Mr. Lee?”
“The lawyer and his wife went with the Patricks to Jefferson.”
“I’m sure the mayor would help.” She shook her head. “No, wait, he’s in Austin.”
“Believe me, I’ve asked the butcher, the baker, and the candlestick maker. No one in the entire town is willing.”
She nodded. “It’ll be all right. You can ride to Industry and intercept Bettina on your way. Once the two of you arrive, you can put a call through to your captain and arrange to have more Rangers brought in.”
“There’s no time. I’m going to round them up myself, one at a time.”
“By yourself?” Her lips parted. “But how?”
He glanced at the horizon. “May I come in?”
“Oh!” She jumped back. “I’m sorry. Of course.”
Stepping inside, he shut the door. He’d been in this room a thousand times, but never had he filled it the way he did now. It was as if he’d grown ten feet in the last two hours.
He removed his hat, then combed his fingers through the hair above his left ear. “I can’t do it completely alone. I need someone to drive the hack.”
“You mean there wasn’t one man in the entire town who’d drive a hack for you?”
“Unfortunately, no.”
She propped her hands on her hips. “Well, that’s ridiculous. Why, anyone could drive a hack. Even me.”
His gaze held hers.
Her stomach dropped. “Oh my. Do you, do you want me to drive the hack?”
He shifted his weight. “You wouldn’t have to do anything. I’ll haul them in and keep them covered between locations. But you’ll have to hold them at gunpoint while I go inside each home.”
She pressed a hand against her waist, then covered it with the other. “You don’t understand. I sent Bettina by herself to Industry.”
“I heard you and I appreciate it. Hopefully she’ll make good time.”
“She’s nine years old, Luke. She can’t walk all the way to Industry.”
“And I can’t round up Comer’s gang without help. You’re my last hope, Georgie. If I don’t intercept these men now, this minute, innocent lives will be put in danger. And not just men, but women and children. Many children. Children Bettina’s age and younger.”
She thought of the little girl who’d stood beside her during the robbery back in February. “Comer won’t hurt them.”
“Don’t fool yourself. The only reason no one has been hurt is because no one has challenged him. Putting your trust in his ‘good nature’ is about as safe as sharing a tree with a grizzly.”
“What about Bettina?”
“That girl’s about the most resourceful thing I ever did see. Matter of fact, if you don’t come with me, I just might go get her to drive the hack.”
She paled. “You wouldn’t.”
“Try me.” His blue eyes had turned to points of gray. This was the Lucious Landrum she’d read about in the papers. But somewhere in there was also the Luke Palmer she knew and loved.
“The girl needs protecting.”
Like the fledglings? The thought seared through her mind with such vehemence she stumbled back two steps.
“The folks on that train need protecting, too,” he said.
She swallowed. She couldn’t be two places at once, but she knew someone who could. And she’d just have to put her trust in Him. “I won’t be able to hold the prisoners at gunpoint. I’ve never shot a gun in all my life.”
“And hopefully you won’t have to. I meant to take you out and teach you, but there just hasn’t been time.” He rotated the hat in his hands. “I think it might work in your favor, though. If the fellows knew you could shoot, they’d figure you wouldn’t be able to actually kill one of them if the need arose. But if they discover you don’t know how to shoot, they’ll be worried you might shoot them by accident—which is a distinct possibility. That alone may keep them from giving you any trouble.”
“What if they give me trouble anyway?”
His eyes turned steely again. “Then you point and pull the trigger.”
She placed a hand against her throat. “I see. Well.”
If she went with him, it would mean leaving Bettina in God’s capable hands. It would mean losing her job. It would also mean ridding the state of men who preyed upon others.
She took a deep breath. “When